Wildfire creates hazy skies

You might notice some haze in the sky, the result of a wildfire in west Miami-Dade County.

The 240-acre wildfire started on Monday night near Southwest Eighth Street about three miles east of Krome Avenue. Careless campers apparently ignited it, said Scott Peterich, spokesman for the Florida Forest Service.

As of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the fire was 98 percent contained and no homes are endangered, he said. Because the winds are out of the east, most of the smoke is being pushed to the west, over the Everglades.

However, because burned Melaleuca trees, it created clouds of black smoke that have left hazy skies across much of South Florida. Firefighters did a preventive burn on Monday night to keep the fire clear of Southwest Eight Street.

Peterich added that the Florida Forest Service has designated this as wildfire awareness week.

The fire aside, most of Florida should continue to enjoy pleasant spring weather on Tuesday.

South Florida's forecast: Mostly sunny with afternoon highs in the low 80s and evenings readings in the upper 60s. There is a slight risk of rip currents at the beaches. Wednesday should be a touch warmer with a small chance of rain.

Central Florida's Tuesday forecast: Mostly sunny with highs in the mid 80s and lows in the low 60s. There is a 20 percent chance of rain. Watch out for patchy fog before 8 a.m.

An approaching cold front should lower temperatures into the 50s in Orlando on Wednesday night and keep daytime temperatures in the low 80s in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday and Friday.